Somalia leaders agree to hold 1st popular vote in half century

The country's last universal suffrage or one person, one vote election took place in 1969.

News Keydmedia Online
31 October 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The top political leaders of Somalia reached a historic deal that moves the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation closer to popular vote.

Following a four-day consultative conference at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, the presidency announced a joint 5-point communique featuring the agreed issues.

The president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh convened the meeting which brought together leaders of the regional states, the prime minister and Mogadishu mayor.

The communique said the political elite agreed to hold a democratic election in the country at both Federal and regional levels by 2026.

This if happens will be the first election that citizens cast their votes in the ballot boxes since 1969.

Somalia used the clan-based system known as 4.5 since 2000 for the elections in which clan delegates choose their MPs who then pick a president in indirect ballot.

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